Will Ruck, one of the CBI Media team members, enjoys taking motorcycle tours through the countryside. Last fall he was riding through a small town and noticed a coffee shop. He decided to stop in for a cup.
The proprietor, we’ll call her Mari-san, was friendly and chatted with him about why he was in Japan. He gave her his business card and used the QR code on the back to show her our website and explain his role with the team.
Earlier this spring Will happened to be riding back through this town and decided to stop again at the same coffee shop. Mari-san was manning the counter and she remembered him from his previous trip. She told him she’d been reading our articles and watching our videos and found them interesting. She also had questions for him about how to get CBI Press books.
These small countryside towns often don’t have any Christian presence. Will, who was only there for two brief visits, may be the only Christian she ever encounters. But in connecting her to our website, he connected her to an ongoing stream of gospel resources.
Through our online articles and videos and through what we share on social media, we have a chance to reach towns that few or no missionaries will ever visit.
Please pray for Mari-san, that the Lord would open her heart to trust in Him. |
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Deeper & Further Renovation Update & Unforeseen Needs to Finish the Project! |
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We are so happy to share that the renovation work on our building renovation has begun! There is already a drastic difference on the rooftop, where we’ve removed over 5 tons of old, rusting HVAC equipment.. We expect that interior construction will begin later this month!
By God’s grace, we successfully raised $380,000—the amount we estimated last year to complete the renovation. During planning, however, we identified several strategic upgrades across the building to better support ministry. These include improvements to the offices, café, entryway, stairwell, and more. The result will be a fully optimized space that looks and functions like a brand-new facility. These upgrades add $80,000 to our costs, putting us just over 20% above budget.
In addition, we’ve encountered two unexpected but urgent needs. First, replacing outdated electrical equipment will cost $70,000 due to toxic chemicals requiring special disposal. Second, one of our main air conditioning units failed, revealing that all major units are overdue for replacement. We can save in the long run by replacing them now—while walls and ceilings are already open—at a cost of $50,000.
Altogether, we’re seeking to raise an additional $200,000 to complete the Deeper and Further renovation. We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us in this important investment as we prepare our building for future ministry—so that, by God’s grace, CBI can continue to take the gospel deeper and further throughout Japan. |
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- Deeper & Further Conference - registration is now open. Please pray that preparation goes smoothly, and that God would lead many Japanese Christians to participate.
- Deeper & Further Building Renovation - that our sovereign Lord would guide all the details, and give us wisdom as make design decisions that will impact our space for years to come.
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Christ Bible Seminary - classes have moved off site for the time being. Pray for our students and teachers as they navigate many changes.
- Joy of Japan Center - for a mission team from Lausanne USA and Hong Kong that will be visiting and serving later this month
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CBI Counseling - we have begun accepting applications for STEPS 2025-26’. Pray that God would already be softening their hearts to experience the gospel at work amidst their sin and suffering.
- CBI Press - Praise God that we have completed translations for Marriage (Paul David Trip) and Understanding the Big Picture of the Bible (Wayne Grudem et. al). Also, the MyUchiSoto project is right on track for a fall release.
- CBI Media - Praise God that we have a new Japanese staff! Please pray that he would be able to get established in his role with SNS.
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